Olympics

Former Penn State gymnast, pommel horse king Stephen Nedoroscik wins his second bronze

Stephen Nedoroscik may only compete in one event on the U.S. men’s gymnastics team, but he’s still had a long, successful week at the Paris Summer Olympics.

Since Monday’s viral performance and momentous Team USA win, Nedoroscik — aka “Pommel Horse Guy” — has become somewhat of a household name. The former Penn State gymnast cemented his legacy even further Saturday morning, earning his second bronze medal of the games.

He was the only member of the U.S. men’s gymnastics team to qualify for apparatus finals, securing its only individual medal in Paris. Finishing with a score of 15.300, he took the podium alongside Ireland’s Rhys McClenaghan (gold) and Kazakhstan’s Nariman Kurbanov (silver).

Nedoroscik, who already left his mark once this week when he helped end U.S. men’s gymnastics team’s 16-year medal drought, has once again proven his status as pommel horse extraordinaire. His routine knocked two-time Olympic gold medalist Max Whitlock out of third place, ending the British gymnast’s winning streak in the event.

The former Nittany Lion is the eighth U.S. gymnast to medal in the pommel horse. Alex Naddour also clinched bronze at the 2016 Rio Summer Games, but before then, the U.S. team hadn’t placed in the event since 1984.

Aug 3, 2024; Paris, France; Stephen Nedoroscik of the United States reacts after competing on the pommel horse on the first day of gymnastics event finals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Bercy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2024; Paris, France; Stephen Nedoroscik of the United States reacts after competing on the pommel horse on the first day of gymnastics event finals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Bercy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports Jack Gruber USA TODAY NETWORK

Nedoroscik’s performance was a win for not only Penn State’s gymnastics but for fans all across the internet — even those who joked they didn’t entirely know what was going on. Two bronze medals in tow, Team USA can rest assured their “Clark Kent” will be leaving Paris as this year’s Olympic sweetheart.

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Veronica Nocera
Centre Daily Times
Veronica Nocera is a Centre Daily Times intern. She previously worked at The Independent Florida Alligator and The Gainesville Sun covering arts, culture and everything in between.
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